There is an authentic saying attributed to the Prophet Muhammad:
“You live in such a time that if any of you abandon even a tenth of what you are enjoined, you will be ruined. But a time will come when, if a person fulfills only a tenth of what is enjoined, they will be saved.” (Tirmidhi, Book 34: Fitan (Sedition), Section 79, No. 2267)
In the above hadith or prophetic saying, the Prophet was referring to times like ours when we live in great strife and are facing tough challenges to balance religion with modern imperatives. This Prophetic advice emanates from the holy Quran: “And God has not laid upon you any hardship in matters of religion” (Q22:78). . The Qur’an further says: “God intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.” (Q 2:185) The Qur’an reinforces this message again: “God does not burden a soul beyond its capacity” (Q 2:286). The Qur’an reinforces this message again: “God does not burden a soul beyond its capacity” (Q 2:286).
While enjoining his followers to prepare themselves for the life hereafter, the Prophet also admonished them to perform all necessary functions for a proper life in this world. The Prophet believed that an ideal life was one which had the right combination of both the essential elements of life: one which could provide dignified life on earth; the other which could provide salvation to him in the hereafter. The essence of his message is contained in his well-known saying: “Do for this world as if thou were to live a thousand years and for the next as if thou were to die tomorrow.”
The Prophet stated:
“For a prudent person it is necessary that he should have some moments; Moments when he should commune with God, Moments when he should be reflecting over the mysteries of creation, And also moments spared for the acquisition of the wherewithal.”
Moderation is a fundamental and distinguishing feature of Islam. God says: ‘We have made you a nation justly balanced’ (2:143). Additionally, when the Quranic verse ‘As to monasticism which they themselves invented, We did not prescribe any of it for them’ (57: 27) was revealed, the Prophet Muhammad commented: ‘Do not overburden yourselves, lest you perish. People [before you] overburdened themselves and perished. Their remains are found in hermitages and monasteries’ (Musnad of Abu Ya’la). In other words, excesses may eventually develop into large problems and even become a threat to the well being and security of the Muslim community
The Qur’an spells out a life which is a harmonious blend of the otherworldly and mundane aspects. The synthesis is attempted in such a manner that both these aspects are so organically related that the one gives meaning and content to the other. The Qur’an recognizes two basic obligations of an individual: one to God and the other to society. Islam does not approve of asceticism and a life of self-denial. . The Qur’an also disapproves the other extreme of lifestyle – luxurious and pleasure-seeking. It calls for moderation in all activities so that a complete and fuller life can be achieved.
During the early Meccan period the word used to describe Islam was” Al-Yusraa,” or ‘The Easy Way’. There is a plethora of verses that testify to Quran’s underlying philosophy of moderation.
- ‘Truly with hardship comes ease'(Q94: 6);
- ‘God will assuredly appoint, after difficulty; easiness'(Q65:7);
- ‘Whoso fears God, God will appoint for him, of His command, easiness'(Q65:4);
- ‘We shall speak to him, of our command, easiness'(Q18:88);
- ‘God desires to lighten things for you, for the human being has been created weak'(Q4:28)
It is the human predilection for riches that the Qur’an cautions against and exhorts us to maintain balance between extravagance and parsimony. This is in recognition of human nature, which has the dual impulses of compassion and an inherent love of wealth. In this way, Islam’s religious teachings counsel temperance and prudence; whereas Islam’s spiritual teachings urge selflessness and generosity.
There is another authentic tradition, in which Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet said, “The religion (of Islam) is easy, and whoever makes the religion a rigour, it will overpower him. So, follow a middle course (in worship); if you can’t do this, do something near to it and give glad tidings and seek help (of Allah) at morn and at dusk and some part of night”. (Al-Bukhari- Riyad as-Salihin Book 1, Hadith 145)
The Qur’an spells out a life which is a harmonious blend of the otherworldly and mundane aspects. The synthesis is attempted in such a manner that both these aspects are so organically related that the one gives meaning and content to the other. The Qur’an recognizes two basic obligations of an individual: one to God and the other to society. Islam does not approve of asceticism and a life of self-denial. . The Qur’an also disapproves the other extreme of lifestyle – luxurious and pleasure-seeking. It calls for moderation in all activities so that a complete and fuller life can be achieved. The Prophet himself was very practical in his approach and in his guidance to his companions. Once the Prophet saw a wretched, ugly man with torn clothes. He asked the man the reason for his pitiable state. The man replied: “O Messenger of God, I prefer giving all in charity, contenting myself with this shabby dress.” The Prophet exclaimed in disapproval: “Not like that; God likes to see the traces of his benefit on his slave!”
It is the human predilection for riches that the Qur’an cautions against and exhorts us to maintain balance between extravagance and parsimony. This is in recognition of human nature, which has the dual impulses of compassion and an inherent love of wealth. In this way, Islam’s religious teachings counsel temperance and prudence; whereas Islam’s spiritual teachings urge selflessness and generosity.
The balance between body and spirit, between personal and civic responsibilities, and between spiritual and mundane affairs of life is a unique gift of Islam to humanity. The Qur’an emphasizes that a perfect model of religious life is not one which is based on mere performance of rituals. It must also integrate one’s relationship with the family and the community.
The Qur’an enjoins: “O children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer, eat and drink but waste not by excess, for Allah loves not wasters. Say: ‘who has forbidden the beautiful gifts of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the things clean and pure which He has provided for sustenance.” (Q7:31-32)
